Teachers’ protest turns violent outside West Bengal Education Department office

Protest by teachers turns violent outside West Bengal Education Department, demanding reinstatement after recruitment process cancellation.

A protest by members of the Deserving Teachers Rights Forum outside the West Bengal Education Department headquarters in Salt Lake turned violent on May 15, with agitating teachers storming the Bikash Bhawan premises, clashing with security personnel, and heckling former Trinamool Congress MLA Sabyasachi Dutta.

Demanding immediate reinstatement without the need to reappear for examinations, the protesting teachers broke the main gate of the Education Department building and entered the premises, triggering a confrontation with the police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel deployed on-site.

The protest was in response to the ongoing fallout from a Supreme Court ruling which upheld the cancellation of approximately 26,000 appointments made during the 2016 recruitment process conducted by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC), citing irregularities.

Holding placards and raising slogans, the teachers accused the State government of failing to differentiate between those who were legitimately appointed and those whose appointments were marred by corruption. “We did not pay money to secure our jobs. We are deserving and untainted. Why should we suffer because of others’ wrongdoing?” said a protester.

Tensions escalated when Mr. Dutta attempted to leave the premises. Protesters surrounded his vehicle, refusing to move. “His car can run over us, but we will not move,” one teacher shouted, as police tried to disperse the crowd using force. Mr. Dutta, in a brief statement, denied the protest had turned chaotic, blaming media coverage for “sensationalising” the incident. He was seen pushing a local journalist, a moment that drew widespread criticism online.

Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari condemned the incident, terming the manhandling of a journalist as an “attack on the fourth pillar of democracy” and urging the police to take cognisance of the matter.

Speaking to reporters, Mehboob Mondal, spokesperson of the Deserving Teachers Rights Forum, accused the government of reneging on promises. “We were told that deserving teachers would be protected. Instead, preparations are underway for a fresh recruitment exam. We have served diligently for seven years - why should we be asked to requalify?” he said.